Among the dignitaries attending the event was the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, and the vessel’s sponsor, Lady Anne Soar, who were joined by representatives from the City of Derby, to which the submarine is affiliated. Also in attendance were proud family members and loved ones of the crew.

Admiral Stanhope said:

It is my great pleasure to welcome HMS Ambush into the Royal Navy fleet during this important and noteworthy occasion.

HMS Ambush is the second of the Royal Navy’s Astute Class submarines. These vessels represent the cutting-edge of military technology and the future of UK submarine operations for many years to come.

The Astute Class vessels will contribute significantly to our mission of protecting the UK’s interests worldwide.

A Royal Marines band at the commissioning ceremony of HMS Ambush [Picture: Petty Officer (Photographer) Ian Arthur, Crown copyright]

Launched on 5 January 2011 at the BAE Systems shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness, Ambush arrived at her home port of HM Naval Base Clyde on 19 September 2012.

Since then, Ambush has undergone extensive sea trials to ensure she is ready to become part of the fleet, with the White Ensign being raised for the first time on 18 January after the signing of the ‘certificate of acceptance’, transferring the submarine from her builders to the Ministry of Defence.

The Commanding Officer of HMS Ambush, Commander Peter Green, said:

The crew are immensely proud to mark the commissioning, and to see the culmination of many months of hard work readying HMS Ambush for service with the Royal Navy.

HMS Ambush’s crew are now looking forward to the challenges ahead and to exploring the full range of the submarine’s capabilities before she enters full operational service later this year.

As the home of the UK submarine service, all 7 Astute Class vessels will eventually be ported at HM Naval Base Clyde. The first of class, HMS Astute, entered service with the Royal Navy in August 2010.

HMS Ambush is expected to complete sea trials and be formally handed over to the operational control of the Royal Navy later this year.

The other 5 vessels, Artful, Audacious, Anson, and the as yet unnamed boats 6 and 7, are currently at different stages of build and development.